Monday, May 21, 2012

So, Andrew found this amazing restaurant online in Aruba called Two Fools and a Bull. I must admit I was a bit apprehensive about it when he told me about it, but I figured I should give it a shot! I was a little worried because I can be a bit picky and this restaurant has a set menu, and you don't know what will be on that set menu until you get there. Its actually a really cool concept and they call it a gourmet studio, not a restaurant. They have one seating per night and they have sixteen seats that are situated around the cooking area (see picture below). You are asked to arrive at 7pm and they have a cocktail meet and greet outside on the patio where you can mingle and chat with the other guests as well as the 2 guys (fools) that run the restaurant, one is the chef and the other is the maitre d type person. After the meet and greet you sit down and the service begins, its a 5 course meal and wine is paired with each course. The food was amazing!! It was stuff I would not normally try and the only thing I did not care for was the foie gras, my favorite thing was the shrimp ravioli with lobster oil....yum!!! The entire meal took about 2 hours to eat and it was more like a dinner party than eating in a restaurant. It was so unique, the food was amazing, and the service incredible, I can't wait to go back!!!

This is the seating area centered around where they did the plating for each course.

This is the restored authentic french fire wall where all the meat was cooked.

Thursday, May 03, 2012

We absolutely fell in love with the island of Aruba while we were there. The people who live on the island are welcoming, friendly, helpful and they speak english (along with 3-5 other languages as well). The weather is beautiful, about 85 and breezy all the time. It is more of a desert climate so it does not rain a lot. The water is beautiful and very calm and the sand is fine and soft, perfect for taking or stroll or soaking up some sun! The best part is the weather is consistent and it lies outside of the hurricane belt which makes it easier to plan our next trip since we aren't restricted to the "nice season" or steering clear of hurricane season.

Andrew and I had such a relaxing time while we were in Aruba. Our biggest decision was should we go to the pool first or to the private beach that was complete with palaps, and cold water bottles to drink. We would take walks down the beach and stop along the way at the little bar/restaurants for a drink or a snack or lunch. We found a few favorite places and found ourselves going back to the same couple of places. I enjoyed a day at the spa and got a very relaxing massage and a facial. Andrew was a bit more adventurous and took some wind surfing lessons. Mostly we were content lounging, reading, talking and laughing together! Andrew did some extensive research regarding the restaurants on the island and we had dinner reservations for most every night we were there. We had some fantastic food and enjoyed eating out without the kids and being able to chat over a glass of wine and take our time. It was almost like when we were dating, but better because there was none of the nervousness or awkwardness that goes along with dating! We did miss the kids though and we can't wait to bring them with us someday! All in all it was an incredible trip, one that went by way too quickly but will provide us with a lifetime of memories and Aruba may have just become "our place."

Relaxing by the adult only pool.

A view of the private beach. There was a lady that worked out there and would bring out your chairs and set up your towels under one of the palapas (the little thatch roofed structures). We would set up "camp" for the day and go back and forth from here to the pool.

The view down the beach from our hotel.

This is at what came to be one our favorite little hang out places, Bugalo. It was at the end of the pier and there was always a lot going on here, lots of folks to chat with and ideal for people watching. The live music was a bonus!

Enjoying a cocktail a Bugalo!

Cooling off in the pool.

They even had water Zumba!!

We celebrated our anniversary multiple times. This was dessert at Ruth's Chris Steak House which was inside our hotel. The food was fabulous and the dessert was heavenly.

Me and my hubby!!

Here is Andrew windsurfing.

He said it was a really good workout.

We saw his instructor that night when we went on sunset cruise and he was flying on the board!

Our dinner reservation got lost one night at the outdoor restaurant at our hotel.

As an apology Marriott set us up on a free sunset cruise with an open bar, not too shabby!

This is the sail boat pulling away from the dock.

That is a view of Bugalo from the water.

There were a couple of restaurants that we ate at that deserve to have their very own post, those will follow!!!